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Hey Tubenet, I was wondering if I could help get some information on buying a horn. I am currently switching from bass trombone and my friend is willing to sell two of his horns to me. They are a lightly used King 4B and a very dinged up Bach Stradavarius. The total asking price is 1500 dollars for both horns. I am asking you all if it would make more sense for me, and I am considering music for college, to buy the two used horns or to buy just the lightly used King and get a new Bach Strad. Any other advice would also be very helpful. Thanks so much!

All other things being equal (both with valves, both .547 horns) Bach is generally favored by many, esp. teachers, but a good 4B is an excellent instrument as well. The 4B is brighter in the basement because of the .547 bore vs. the .562 valve on the Bach. Pick which you like - a Bach will hold it's value well. If the King is ~7-8 years old, be darn sure the slide was put together well...

I own a stellar Bach - but I got it intending to purchase a 4B. Leave it up to your ear and your chops.

But don't quit Bass!

J.c.S.

oooh, im not quitting bass, just switching temporarily because as of yet I have had no fun parts this year playing bass in band (though doing La Gazza Ladra and William Tell Overture was interesting) Im just changing over to bass for more authority over my section, more fun parts, and also as a career move. More tenors accepted to orchestras if I am not mistaken But yeah, im not quite ready to give up belting out the low notes.

I have been searching for a new horn to upgrade from a 1909 Martin that was purchased on ebay several years ago. After trying a few horns, considering the prices of new and used horns, I made the decision to have my old horn renewed, repaired, cleaned. The reason was sound, tone, comfort, and price. My suggestion is to put down on a chart what you want, and do a cost benefit study. Be sure to take time to see how different horns sound and feel in your hands. You will be spending a lot of time holding the horn. after the purchase is too late to find out that front valves or top, rotary or piston, give you a back pain. Mouthpiece height, horn weight, size to fit in the car, case with wheels, backpack. It is not new or used but what fits you, and how it sounds, the tones you can produce on it.

Spend some time trying different horns, make an appointment and visit local tuba shops, find folks in your area, who play tuba in Church bands, Community bands. teachers who will let you try a horn. Be open minded, even give the made in China or Brazil horns a chance, some sound very well, play well and can be purchased at a great savings, some of these are not much, and they will quickly give you a low benchmark of what you do not want. It is important for you to discover what you really want, not what some tells you. Make this a fun project, chances are your Tuba may outlast a car or house purchase.

Take your time, find out exactly what you need, then take some more time to get the best valve. Many times a used horn plus repair cost to get it in top condition will be the best value. Good Old Quality will stand up to the test of time.

Blessings